The Colorado River
As the Southwestern United States has developed, populations have boomed and people have made their homes along the Colorado River and river basins.
The Colorado River is often referred to as America’s Nile. Starting as snow melt, the river known as the Colorado will travel over 1,400 miles flowing through 7 different states making its way towards the final destination, the Gulf of Mexico. Along the river’s journey there are 30 million people in those seven states that rely on the water.
The Colorado River is often referred to as America’s Nile. Starting as snow melt, the river known as the Colorado will travel over 1,400 miles flowing through 7 different states making its way towards the final destination, the Gulf of Mexico. Along the river’s journey there are 30 million people in those seven states that rely on the water.
Over the past decade there has been a drought that has over taken the Southwest United States. Less precipitation in the Rocky Mountains is causing less run
off. According to geoscientist Brad Udall, director of the University of Colorado Western Water Assessment, over the next 40 years, it is likely that the flow of the river will decrease anywhere from 5-20% (Zielinsk). Water resource officials say some of the reservoirs fed by the river will never be full again. It is a well known fact that in order to survive, we need water for drinking and growing food. We as Americans, as humans, and mammals with a need for survival need to conserve
our water
off. According to geoscientist Brad Udall, director of the University of Colorado Western Water Assessment, over the next 40 years, it is likely that the flow of the river will decrease anywhere from 5-20% (Zielinsk). Water resource officials say some of the reservoirs fed by the river will never be full again. It is a well known fact that in order to survive, we need water for drinking and growing food. We as Americans, as humans, and mammals with a need for survival need to conserve
our water
Major Western cities in Arizona, Utah and Nevada rely on Colorado River water for drinking water, crops grown cheap, hydroelectric power as well a recreational and spiritual enjoyment. The largest and second largest reservoirs in the country are along the Colorado River.The first is Lake Mead, which sits behind the Hoover Dam.. The second is Lake Powell which sits behind Glen Canyon Dam It has been said that both Lake Mead of Hoover Dam and Lake Powell are dying. A political science and environmental professor from the University Of Utah,Dan McCool stated, "Everyone predicts that Lake Powell's days are numbered," adding that all models looking at climate change indicate that it is going to get drier and warmer in the Colorado River Basin, reducing future flows (Wharton). The Glen Canyon Dam was originally meant to be a water storage and delivery center for the Lower Colorado River Basin. It took 17 years to fill after water started backing up behind Glen Canyon Dam in 1963. It has taken only about 8 years for half that water to disappear (Kraker). Looking at a graph of the river water flow through Lee’s Ferry which is the river section below Glen Canyon Dam, , is becoming less over time.
Lake Mead of the Hoover Dam is now also at a record low. “The lake is now just 8 feet above the level that would trigger the first drought restrictions, which would reduce water supplies for Arizona and Nevada.” (McKinnon). The lower water levels further down in Lake Mead on the Arizona-Nevada border will increasingly affect the water levels of Lake Powell as well. There is a process called equalization. When the water levels of Lake Mead drop, more water is released from Glen Canyon Dam to help make up for the lack of water in Lake Mead. If Lake Mead continues to drop, the Bureau of Reclamation will have
to declare an official drought on the area.
to declare an official drought on the area.